To many, the UFC's acquisition of the competing fight series Strikeforce in March spelled the end of EA Sports MMA. While EA Sports' chief of development did not say that a sequel is in development, he did not say the label was quitting the sport altogether.

About this time last year, at E3, I was chewing the fat with a 2K Sports representative about NBA 2K11 which already looked to be the monster it would become. Long dominant in the pro basketball genre, the game with Michael Jordan on its cover was going to be 2K's Sunday punch to EA Sports. "That's the idea," the guy…

Growing up, I only saw boxing on HBO. With Mike Tyson the premier fighter, it was usually over fast. Anything that wasn't seems sanitized in low-definition hindsight. That changed the first time I saw a bout fought live. In headgear.

"Fastest-growing sport" is often faint praise applied to niche competitions, but with mixed martial arts, it's no joke. Relentless violence and blink-of-an-eye knockout potential make MMA fight night for the video game generation. Can a video game do that justice?

EA Sports is not often in the position of the contender. It is with its mixed martial arts title, as THQ owns the UFC license, the leading mark. That doesn't mean EA's marketing the game like a lightweight.

The punching, kicking and sweaty grappling action of EA Sports' take on mixed martial arts will also be available not just for the Xbox 360 and PC, but for on-the-go pocket-sized bouts. This is what EA Sports MMA looks like on an iPhone.

Recently, the CEO of MMA promotion Strikeforce mentioned he'd visited Cowboys Stadium. As Strikeforce is a licensing partner of the upcoming EA Sports MMA, some took that to mean the site might show up in the game. They're right.

Movin' right along - EA Sports MMA is revealing its roster piecemeal. This week we're shown 22 fighters eligible at the game's middleweight class, eight of which were also revealed as light heavyweights last week.

Earlier today EA Sports revealed plans for Fight Night Champion next year, but let's not forget the publisher has a combat sports title coming out this year - EA Sports MMA, whose career mode is showcased in 17 new screens.